Arabic version: تضرر أعمال تجارية في إليوت بعد تصاعد خلاف عائلي

According to ABC News, fighting in the Northern Territory community of Elliott has escalated into damage to businesses and property after family groups from the township and Marlinja Camp fought last week. Police said the clashes on Thursday and Friday followed a family dispute, with further criminal damage reported since then.

Elliott welding business owner Dan Young said his truck was broken into and significantly damaged. He said its windows were smashed, the interior was trashed, valuables were taken and toolboxes on the back were raided, leaving him unable to work for several days. Mr Young said the damage would make it an expensive week for his business.

Mr Young said numerous cars had been vandalised or broken into, while the town store and post office had also been targeted. Elliott is about 250 kilometres north of Tennant Creek and has roughly 300 residents.

Acting superintendent of Tennant Creek and the Barkly Mick Fields said police believed disagreements over child disciplinary matters sparked the family disputes. He said tensions had been heightened following a recent funeral and by alcohol. Police had confiscated arrows, iron bars and other non-traditional weapons, and Mr Fields said blue paint had been thrown around businesses and roads.

Mr Fields urged residents to remain calm, citing the effects unrest can have on service providers, children and the community’s sense of safety. Additional police staff, including members of the cultural reform team and Aboriginal community police officers, have been deployed to restore peace. He said conditions had settled somewhat, though work remained to be done.